The anguish.
The distraught.
The utter betrayal.
Luca didn't say anything except for the soft gasp he let out, but when everyone turned and saw him holding it all in, it became painfully obvious to the Imperial couple that they had just said something they absolutely should not have.
It had only been meant as a cute anecdote about their son's younger days, one where they found Xavier's thinking surprisingly childlike. But how could they have known it would trigger something like this?
Even Xavier himself stiffened, his back ramrod straight as he turned to Luca as if trying to catch and steady him.
The sight that followed was so shocking that even little Nina panicked when she saw her brother chipmunk suddenly looking like he was about to collapse.
Luca wilted. His knees wobbled. His hands shook as he stretched them out toward Xavier with trembling fingers, his golden eyes half-lidded, his lips parting as though he were on his deathbed.
"X-Xavier…" His voice cracked pitifully.
